Easy Cheese Pizza Snack

I stumbled on this incredible 2 Ingredient Pizza Chips hack when I needed to satisfy my sudden pizza urges. They're crunchy, packed with cheese, and super easy to make. You'll get all the pizza taste you want in munchable form without any carbs or the fuss of pizza dough.

I came up with these when we were cutting back on carbs as a family but really missed our end-of-week pizza tradition. What began as a quick kitchen test has now turned into our most asked-for treat during movie sessions and sports events.

Ingredients

• Shredded mozzarella cheese: Go for the whole milk type that gets nice and melty for the crunchiest results. Bagged shredded works fine, but cheese you grate yourself tastes even better.
• Pepperoni slices: Pick standard thin rounds instead of chunky cut ones. The skinnier pepperoni gets curly and crisp while letting out just enough fat to make the chips tastier.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat the Oven:

Get your oven going at 400°F and put parchment paper on a baking tray. Don't skip the parchment - it stops sticking and makes cleaning up a breeze. Give your oven about 5 minutes to warm up completely for the crunchiest results.

Arrange the Pepperoni:

Lay out pepperoni pieces in one layer on your lined tray, with a bit of space between each. This spacing matters so they cook evenly and don't stick together as they heat up and shrink a little.

Add the Cheese:

Drop a good pinch of mozzarella on each pepperoni slice, making sure to cover the top without going overboard. About a teaspoon per slice works great, making a good cheese layer that'll melt and get crispy around the edges.

Bake:

Put the tray on the middle shelf in your hot oven and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them after minute 7 since they can go from perfect to burnt pretty fast. Look for golden edges on the cheese and pepperoni that's starting to curl up.

Cool and Serve:

Take them out and let them sit on the tray for 2 to 3 minutes. This cooling bit can't be skipped - it lets the chips firm up and get properly crunchy. Move them to a plate and enjoy while they're still warm for the best texture and flavor.

Pin it

The pepperoni really works wonders here. After lots of trial runs, I found that the natural fats it releases while baking create just the right conditions for the cheese to get crispy without burning. My hubby now makes sure we always have pepperoni on hand just for when we want these, even if we don't plan to make actual pizza.

Storage Tips

These pizza chips taste best fresh, but you can keep them in a sealed container with parchment paper between each layer. Store them in the fridge for up to 5 days, though they won't be as crunchy. To get that crunch back, put them on a parchment-lined tray and warm them in a 350°F oven for 2 to 3 minutes until they crisp up again.

Perfect Pairings

These pizza chips are great alone but they're awesome with the right partners. Try them with a small bowl of warm marinara sauce for dipping to get the full pizza experience. For a fancy starter spread, serve them with ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or even creamy spinach dip. They look stunning on cheese boards and go well with olives, pickled veggies, and fresh herbs.

Pin it

Making It Your Own

What's great about this basic recipe is how flexible it is. While you only need two things to start, you can make tons of different versions. Try adding Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or red pepper flakes on the cheese before baking for more flavor. For a loaded pizza feel, put tiny bits of bell pepper, olive, or mushroom on top of the cheese. You can even play around with different cheeses by mixing mozzarella with parmesan for extra flavor or pepper jack for some heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I switch the cheese type?

Totally! Use cheddar, provolone, or even pepper jack for a twist. Just make sure it melts smoothly and crisps up nicely.

→ Could I prepare these ahead of time?

Sure thing! Pop them in an airtight box and they’ll last in the fridge up to 5 days. Quickly warm them up in the oven or microwave to bring back the crunch.

→ Any tips for making these more exciting?

Spice them up by adding things like Italian seasoning, chili flakes, or garlic powder before baking. Pairing them with dips like ranch or marinara works great too!

→ Are these okay for keto and gluten-free diets?

Yes, they fit both diets perfectly since there’s no flour or bread involved.

→ What can I use instead of pepperoni?

You can go with salami, turkey pepperoni, or even sliced zucchini or bell peppers if you prefer a vegetarian option.